Health Psychology

Question 1

What is health psychology?

Answer 1

Health Psychology is concerned with “understanding psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill, and how they respond when they do get ill” (Taylor, 2003)

Examples:

• What interventions might increase exercise participation?
• Why do people not seek medical care when sick?

Question 2

List and describe two health-compromising behaviours

Answer 2

1. Obesity (and physical inactivity)
   - Defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat
   - Regarded as a global epidemic
   - An interplay of genetics and the environment

• Why is it such an issue?
• Increased mortality
• Increased health problems (diabetes, heart disease, cancer)
• Psychological issues (low self-esteem, depression)

2. Smoking
   - Excessive tobacco intake through cigarette smoking
   - 47% of Australian smokers are indigenous

• Why is it such an issue?
• Single most preventable cause of illness (lung infections, cancer), disability (removal of limbs) and premature death

3. Alchohol abuse
   - When an individual is physically dependent on alcohol
   - Genetic and socio-cognitive factors contribute to its prevalence

• Why is it such an issue?
• Increased risk of cancer, liver damage
• Foetal alcohol syndrome
• Increased risk of affective/anxiety disorders

Question 3

Why do people engage in health-compromising behaviours?

Answer 3

1. Individual barriers:
   - Short term rewards of compromising behaviours
   - Non-immediate nature of long-term consequences
   - Impression (self-image) management
2. Family barriers:
   - Habits acquired in childhood
   - Family role models
3. Community barriers:
   - Normal behaviour of the community (e.g. indigenous)
4. Health system barriers:
   - Doctor’s are reactive to illness, rather than proactive regarding health

Question 4

Describe the main characteristics of the Health Belief Model

Answer 4

Aim: to explain and predict why people engage in health-related behaviours or the likelihood of them taking action.
- Used for smoking cessation, and extended to drug abuse and physical activity.

Main concepts: with example of smoking cessation

• Perceived seriousness: how serious the condition is and its consequences (getting lung cancer)
• Perceived benefits: what positive effects are to be expected by taking action (saving money)
• Perceived barriers: the physical and psychological costs (withdrawal)
• Cues to action:
• Self-efficacy: does the person feel they are capable of changing the problem behaviour

Question 5

Describe the main characteristics of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Answer 5

• An extension of the theory of reasoned action.
• Aim: to explain all behaviour we engage in, not just health behaviours

Main concepts:

• Attitudes: is physical activity useful and helpful? or is it not important and a waste of time?
• Subjective norms: environment, and others beliefs. Predicts intention (friends and parents behaviour toward sport). Personality factors into this (motivation to comply with others beliefs)
• Perceived control: does the person feel as though they have enough time? Can direct straight to behaviour (as someone who cannot physically perform an action, will not be able to do the action, regardless of their intention).
• Intention: what we intend on doing
• Behaviour: the outcome

Question 6

What are the ethical standards of a sports psychologist?

Answer 6

• Protection from harm
• Confidentiality
• Boundaries
• Competency (trainee must be honest with client)

*APS guidelines

Question 7

List and describe the initial steps of a sports psychologist working with a new client or team?

Answer 7

1. Case formulation
2. Needs analysis
3. Case formulation
4. Choosing an intervention

Question 8

Explain two psychological skills training strategies for improving athlete performance?

Answer 8

• Goal setting
• Self-talk
• Relaxation
• Imagery